Car Overheating then Going Back to Normal (Solved!)

Car overheating then going back to normal is becoming a common problem for most vehicle owners and can be unpleasant to experience since you don’t know what causes your vehicle to do that.

That is why I wrote this article, In this article, we are going to look at possible reasons why your car is overheating then going back to normal and things you can do to fix them. So Read on!

In short, the most common cause of a car overheating then going back to normal is a bad or failing thermostat and now is failing to control the flow of hot water through the radiator to cool the engine down. Other causes include a bad radiator, bad or failing sensors, a loss of coolant, coolant switch failure, bad water pump, and low engine oil levels.

Car Overheating then Going Back to Normal Common Causes

Bad Thermostat:

If your vehicle is overheating, many times it can be caused by a bad thermostat. This particular problem occurs when the thermostat fails to go up and down to regulate the temperature in your engine.

If this happens, your car will begin to overheat. This typically occurs when the temperature gauge starts to run high or continuously rises.

Faulty Radiator:

If you see that the temperature gauge keeps fluctuating excessively due to the level of heat in your car, that could be a sign that there is a problem with your vehicle’s radiator.

When the temperature gauge keeps running up and down repeatedly, especially when you feel your vehicle is beginning to overheat, it could mean that you have an issue with your radiator.

This particular issue occurs when the radiator fan isn’t switching on or is not working consistently. If this happens, typically your car will begin to overheat and lose coolant faster than it should.

Failed Sensors:

If your car is overheating, it’s possible that there is a problem with one of the sensors in your vehicle. This issue occurs when the sensor fails to send information to your engine control unit. When this happens, it can cause the vehicle to give inaccurate messages and errors.

Coolant Shortage:

If you’re experiencing issues with your vehicle overheating, the problem could be a loss of coolant. When this occurs, typically you’ll experience a rapid rise in the temperature gauge and the engine will begin to overheat.

This problem is caused when there is an underlying issue with your vehicle’s cooling system such as leaks in coolant and it has difficulty expelling the heat from the engine. This issue occurs when there is a leak in your oil cooler or head gasket fails.

Leaking Waterpump:

If you’re experiencing a problem with your vehicle overheating while driving, it could be a sign that you have a leaking water pump.

This particular problem occurs when the water pump has come to the end of its life. When this happens, typically it can cause your car to overheat and lose coolant faster than what is normal.

Failing Coolant Switch:

If your vehicle is overheating, the problem could be a failed coolant switch. This particular issue occurs when the temperature gauge rises uncontrollably and you can’t seem to control it. It typically occurs because of a weak coolant switch that ultimately fails to function effectively.

Low engine oil levels:

If your vehicle is overheating, it could be an indication that your engine oil has become low. This can occur when your car engine fails to provide adequate lubrication to the mechanical parts in the engine.

When this happens, typically, you’ll notice that the temperature gauge keeps going up and down continuously which means that you have an underlying problem with your engine oil level.

What to do if Your Car is Overheating then Going Back to Normal

1. Perform a Vehicle Diagnostic to find the Main Cause:

If your car is overheating and then going back to normal and you’re not sure what the underlying cause could be, it’s important that you perform a diagnostic to find out what is causing it.

For this particular issue, you should consider having a trusted mechanic or technician test out your vehicle when the problem occurs. Sometimes when it comes to potential issues with the coolant system in your vehicle, such as leaks and loss of coolant, they may not happen when the engine is turned off.

2. Replace the failing thermostat:

If you find out that your car is overheating and then going back to normal, the issue will most likely be due to a bad or failing thermostat.

As this component regulates the flow of hot water into your radiator, it will most likely be the first thing you should check. When this happens, it can cause your engine to overheat and become too hot for your vehicle’s coolant system to handle.

3. Check for leaking coolant:

Since this is a common issue with vehicles, it’s important that you check for any leaks in your coolant system.

This can be done by checking on the coolant reservoir if there are any noticeable leaks, checking underneath the car for leaks, getting an accurate temperature reading from the temperature gauge and if the temperature is rising excessively, and checking if their coolant is finishing quickly, then you’re likely to have a problem.

Once you have found a potential leak in the system, have the car checked over by a certified mechanic to further resolve what exactly is causing your vehicle to overheat.

4. Replace the Radiator:

If you find out that your car is overheating and then going back to normal, the issue may be a bad radiator. This particular component is responsible for keeping the engine cool as it promotes the flow of coolant through the entire engine system. When this happens, it can cause your vehicle to overheat and can lead to serious problems.

Final Thoughts

Overheating in your car can become a serious problem and can lead to engine failure and even engine replacement. If you’re experiencing issues with your car overheating and then going back to normal, it’s important that you seek out a professional mechanic or technician to diagnose the vehicle before it becomes too late and costly.